Germany concludes deal with Spain to return migrants

BERLIN — Germany says it has reached an agreement with Spain for that country to take back previously registered migrants who show up at the German border, a first step toward implementing a deal to defuse a domestic political dispute over migration.

Interior Ministry spokeswoman Eleonore Petermann said Wednesday that, under the agreement taking effect Saturday, migrants picked up at German border controls who previously registered in Spain will be returned there within 48 hours. She said Spain didn't ask for anything in return.

Petermann said talks with Greece and Italy, which have been bigger sources of migration to Germany, are ongoing.